Construction is underway at Tama Zoo to build a new enclosure Asian Elephant. While completion is still some time away, the three Asian Elephant elephants have begun training to get used to their transport crates in preparation for the move.

For elephants, which normally spend their time in open areas, it's not easy to get used to being in a small box and not being startled by outside noises. Also, to prevent the elephants from getting injured inside the box, their legs need to be chained to the box. Therefore, we train them to get used to various environments so that the box becomes a safe place for them.

In March of this year (2016), we installed an iron box in the exercise area. We started training in July, once the elephants had become accustomed to the box's presence. They are already used to being inside the box, and currently, we are focusing on training them to get used to sounds and tethering. For sound training, we tap on the box the elephants are inside from the outside and let them hear the sound of the chains rattling. For tethering training, we train them to stick their legs out through the "window for attaching the chains."

The three dogs exhibit distinct personalities in their responses to training.

◎Vidura (male, 9 years old)

Vidura
Initially, Vidura was reluctant to enter the box because of the step at the entrance, but once the step was filled in with soil, she went in immediately and was able to train. She still dislikes sounds coming from behind, but training is progressing little by little.

◎ Amara (female, 12 years old)

Amara
Amara went into the box right away, but once training began, she showed signs of tension, such as spreading her ears, and ran back to her bedroom when training was over. She still shows some tension, but she is gradually getting used to it and is now returning to her room slowly. We are continuing to proceed with training cautiously.

◎ Anura (male, 63 years old)

Anura
Anura, the oldest of the three, is the calmest. She is not fazed by minor noises and does not hesitate to extend her limbs. Since Anura does not live with other animals and is in the exercise area alone, we keep her in a box at all times.

Going forward, we plan to gradually recreate the conditions of the transport day, adjusting to each elephant's progress by using various sounds, tethering them inside the boxes, and closing the entrance with a horse-stopping bar (a cylindrical bar about 10 cm in diameter used to restrict entry and exit). We are carefully preparing to ensure that both the elephants and the staff can move with peace of mind.

Training sessions are held irregularly, but Anura trains before the park opens, while Amara and Vidura train around 13:20-14:00. Please note that you may not be able to see the elephants during training sessions.

[Tama Zoo Tama Zoological Park]

(October 28, 2016)